POS0377 ONE YEAR OF DIGITAL HEALTH APPLICATIONS (DiGA) IN GERMANY – RHEUMATOLOGISTS’ PERSPECTIVES
Authors: J. G. Richter, G. Chehab, P. Stachwitz, J. Hagen, D. Larsen, J. Knitza, M. Schneider, A. Voormann, C. Specker
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Based on given legislation (§§ 33a and 139e SGB V, Social Code Book V) the German approach to digital health applications (Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen, DiGA) allows reimbursed prescription of approved therapeutic software products (listed in the DIGA directory https://diga.bfarm.de/de/verzeichnis ) for patients since October 6 th , 2020. Objectives To evaluate the level of knowledge on DiGA among members of the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) after one year of DiGA under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic using the DiGA Toolbox of the ‘health innovation hub’ (hih), a think tank and sparrings partner of the German Federal Ministry of Health. Methods Anonymous cross-sectional online survey using LimeSurvey ( https://limesurvey.org ). The survey was promoted by newsletters sent out to DGRh newsletter recipients and Twitter posts. Ethical approval was obtained. Results 75 valid participants reported that they care more than 80% of their working time for patients with rheumatic diseases. Most were working in outpatient clinics (54%) and older than 40 years of age (84%). Gender distribution was balanced (50%). 70% were aware of the possibility to prescribe DiGA. Most were informed on this for the first time via trade press (63%), and only 8% via the professional society. 46% expect information on DiGA from professional societies and the medical chambers (36%) but rarely from the manufacturer (10%) and the responsible ministry (4%). Respondents would like to be informed about DIGA via continuing education events (face-to-face 76%, online 84%), trade press (86%), and manufacturers test accounts (64%). Only 7% have already prescribed a DiGA, 46% planned to do so, and 47% did not intend DiGA prescriptions. Relevant aspects for prescription are given in Figure 1. Figure 1. Aspects relevant for DiGA prescriptions; sorted by importance/number of mentions (participants needed to pick their three most relevant aspects from a pre-given list) 86% believe that using DiGA / medical apps would at least partially be feasible and understandable to their patients. 83% thought that data collected by the patients using DiGA or other digital solutions could at least partially influence health care positively. 51% appreciated to get DiGA data directly into their patient documentation system resp. clinical electronic health record (EHR) and 29% into patients’ owned EHR. Conclusion DiGA awareness was high whereas prescription rate was low. Mostly, physician-desired aspects for DiGA prescriptions were proven efficacy and efficiency for physicians and patients, risk of adverse effects and health care costs were less important. Evaluation of patients’ barriers and needs are warranted. Our results will contribute to the implementation and dissemination of DIGA. Disclosure of Interests Jutta G. Richter: None declared, Gamal Chehab: None declared, Philipp Stachwitz: None declared, Julia Hagen: None declared, Denitza Larsen: None declared, Johannes Knitza Consultant of: Vila Health, ABATON, Medac, Matthias Schneider: None declared, Anna Voormann: None declared, Christof Specker: None declared